NEWS

Salmonella outbreak set to force cull on affected farms

01/02/2023

Restrictions have been placed on eight poultry flocks following the detection of salmonella, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

The outbreak’s detection came following a recall of batches of various raw chicken products sold under the Western Brand name last week.

It is understood a cull will now be carried out at the farms affected.

Salmonella is a bacteria which is considered a risk to public health. The discovery of the disease in poultry flocks is being treated as serious by the authorities.

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak, however, it didn’t say where the flocks were located.

‘The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is working closely with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), and the National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella, in order to determine the cause of an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium and to mitigate risks. This investigation is on going,’ the statement said.

‘Eight poultry flocks have been confirmed as positive for Salmonella Typhimurium. All of these flocks have been restricted and are under DAFM controls.

‘The flocks are located in a number of different locations.’ Salmonella can cause severe diarrhoea, which can sometimes contain a lot, or solely, blood.

Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said: ‘The FSAI is liaising with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in its investigation.

‘To date, there are no human cases of illness linked to this investigation into the broiler flocks.

‘This on-farm incident has arisen following the food recall of Western Brand undertaken last week.

‘The FSAI has been notified by the Department of Agriculture that affected flocks will be culled and will not enter the food chain.’